By Eric Elezuo
Counsels to the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Adulbert Legal Services, located in Abuja, has written the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing CB, complaining about what they termed illegal arrest and abduction of their client, and demanded his immediate and unconditional release from detention.
The letter, which was dated June 30, 2021 and signed by Alloy Ejimakor Esq, reminded the British Commissioner that Kanu is a British citizen, who was abducted while on a trip to Kenya by Nigerian security operatives.
It noted that Kanu was travelling on a valid British passport before he was intercepted in a third country and forcibly brought to Nigeria, noting that such acts constitute an unlawful rendition of a British citizen.
The lawyers noted that the manner of Kanu’s interception and forcible deportation to Nigeria is extralegal and does not comport with pertinent international laws and treaties to which Nigeria is subject.
They therefore, demanded among other things that Kanu be categorised as a high profile political prisoner or a prisoner of conscience and be thus rendered the highest diplomatic protection under municipal and international law as well as be granted every possible consulate assistance to which he is entitled as a British citizen.
The letter further asked the British authorities to urgently demand the unconditional release of Kanu from detention.
Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria announced through the Minister of a Justice and Attorney General, Mallam Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday, that Nnamdi Kanu has been arrested and returned to Nigeria, during a press briefing.
Malami hinted that the operation was carried out by the combined efforts of Nigerian security agencies.
Unfolding developments revealed that Kanu was picked up in Kenya, and smuggled back to Nigeria on Sunday, June 27, 2021.
Kenya has however, denied complicity in the abduction and repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu, blaming Nigeria for desecrating her territorial boundaries.
Kanu is expected to resume his trial which was stalled in 2017 when he escaped out of Nigeria after security operatives invaded his Afaraukwu country home. The trial resumes on July 26th.
Below are copies of the letter addressed to the British High Commissioner:
